In this edition of the NJIN monthly newsletter, we present several

vaccine-related articles and updates related to topics such as Flu, and COVID-19, and Measles.

Announcement

From Inoculation to Innovation: The Historical and Ethical Journey of Vaccination

June 30^th, 2025

3:00pm-6:00pm ET

On June 30th, join NJIN for a thought-provoking webinar that will delve into the life-saving global impact of vaccines, explore the roots of vaccine hesitancy and organized opposition, and unpack the ethical questions surrounding mandates, informed consent, and global access. Through real-world case studies and predictive models, we’ll also examine the far-reaching public health implications of both vaccine acceptance and refusal. Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with history, ethics, and science in one compelling conversation, led by guest speakers David Cennimo, MD, and Luis Alzate-Duque, MD.

Click here for more information

Registration is required.

Click the flyer to open as a high resolution PDF.

Spotlight:

Men's Health Awareness Month

The month of June highlights several special days, including Father’s Day, Juneteenth and Pride month.

June also highlights Men’s Health Awareness Month, a time to create awareness about these issues that commonly go ignored.

On average, American men live over five years less than women and more than 12% of men over 18 are in fair or poor health. Additionally, rates of suicide and depression in men have generally been on the rise in recent years.

Recommended vaccines for men:

• Hepatitis A: Recommended for men at increased risk, such as international travelers, people who use or inject drugs, and men who have sex with other men.
• COVID-19: Studies have shown that the COVID-19 vaccine is safe for men. CDC recommends a 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine for most adults ages 18 and older. It is especially important to get your 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccine if you are ages 65 and older, are at high risk for severe COVID-19, or have never received a COVID-19 vaccine.
• HPV: Recommended for men up to age 26, and for some men ages 27–45. 
• Tdap: Recommended for men to protect against tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough. Men should get one dose of Tdap, then a Td or Tdap booster every 10 years. 
• Influenza: Men should get the flu vaccine annually. 
• Shingles: Recommended for men 50 and older. 
• Chickenpox: Recommended for men born in 1980 or later. 
• MMR: Recommended for men born in 1957 or later. 
• Hepatitis B: Recommended for men up to age 59, and for some men 60 and older with risk factors. 

Featured Articles and Resources

New CDC Vaccine Advisers a 'Radical Departure' from Committee's Mission

AAP

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. named the new members of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) two days after firing all 17 voting members of the group.

The appointees are Joseph R. Hibbeln, M.D., Martin Kulldorff, Ph.D., Retsef Levi, Ph.D., Robert W. Malone, M.D., H. Cody Meissner, M.D., James Pagano, M.D., Vicky Pebsworth, O.P., Ph.D., R.N., and Michael A. Ross, M.D. The group includes people with a history of voicing skepticism about vaccines and people who have been involved in spreading vaccine misinformation.

“These appointments only confirm our fears and represent a radical departure from ACIP’s core mission,” said AAP President Susan J. Kressly, M.D., FAAP.

AAP 'Deeply Troubled' and Alarmed' by Ousting of CDC Vaccine Advisory Committee

AAP News

"'We are witnessing an escalating effort by the Administration to silence independent medical expertise and stoke distrust in lifesaving vaccines,' AAP President Susan J. Kressly, M.D., FAAP, said in a statement."

“'Creating confusion around proven vaccines endangers families' health and contributes to the spread of preventable diseases.'” 

"The AAP said ousting the committee 'will cause even more confusion and uncertainty for families.'” 

“'Children and families must be able to access the immunizations they need to stay healthy,' Dr. Kressly said. 'Our vaccine infrastructure must include this critical step of nonpartisan, expert review and discussion of the science and clinical recommendations for individual vaccines. Families and children will be the ones to pay the price for this decision.'” 

RFK Jr. Taps Eight New Members for CDC's Vaccine Advisory Panel

NBC News

In a post on his X social media account, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. named eight new members to join the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), two days after the dismissal of of the previous 17 sitting members. The new appointments have sparked controversy due to past statements of many of the appointees regarding the safety and effectiveness of vaccines, COVID-19 pandemic response measures, and other related topics.

Here are the eight new Committee members:



• Dr. Robert Malone – a physician who conducted early research on mRNA vaccine technology.
• Dr. Joseph Hibbeln – a psychiatrist and neuroscientist who was formerly the acting chief of the section of nutritional neurosciences in the Laboratory of Membrane Biophysics & Biochemistry at the National Institutes of Health.
• Dr. Martin Kulldorff – a biostatistician and epidemiologist, who was dismissed by Mass General Brigham last year and, as a result, fired from his faculty position at Harvard Medical School. He has served on the Food and Drug Administration’s Drug Safety and Risk Management Advisory Committee and the CDC’s vaccine safety subgroup of ACIP.
• Retsef Levi – a professor of operations management at the MIT Sloan School of Management who has also served as faculty director of the school’s food supply chain analytics and sensing initiative. 
• Dr. Cody Meissner – a professor of pediatrics at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth. He has held advisory roles with both the CDC and FDA, and has been a voting member of ACIP and the FDA’s vaccine advisory committee.
• Dr. James Pagano – a board-certified emergency medicine physician who has served on multiple hospital committees.
• Dr. Michael Ross – a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at George Washington University and Virginia Commonwealth University. He has served on the CDC’s Advisory Committee for the Prevention of Breast and Cervical Cancer.
• Vicky Pebsworth – a nurse with a PhD in public health, who has previously served on FDA vaccine advisory committees.

RFK Jr. Ousts Entire CDC Vaccine Advisory Committee

Associated Press (AP)

On Monday, June 9, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. removed every member of the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices in what he called "bold step to restore public trust in vaccines."

Physician and public health groups have criticized the major shakeup to the Committee, which is responsible for providing advice, guidance, and written recommendations for routine vaccine administration in the United States. One of the ousted members, Noel Brewer of the University of North Carolina, said he and others on the Committee received an email on Monday notifying them of their termination but offered no reason as to why.

FDA Approves New Monoclonal Antibody to Protect Infants from RSV

AAP News

The FDA has approved a new long-acting monoclonal antibody to protect infants from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). For infants born during or entering their first RSV season, Merck's clesrovimab (Enflonsia) can be administered to provide protection that is expected to last five months.

If approved during the ACIP's meeting on June 25-27, clesrovimab will join nirsevimab (Beyfortus) from Sanofi and AstraZeneca and RSVpreF (Abrysvo) from Pfizer as another option for providers to protect their infant patients from RSV.

Merck said it expects ordering to begin in July with shipments delivered before the 2025-'26 RSV season.

Hundreds of Laid-Off CDC Employees Are Being Reinstated

Reuters

"More than 460 laid-off employees at the nation’s top public health agency received notices Wednesday that they are being reinstated, according to a union representing the workers."

"The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services confirmed reinstatement notices went out to the former Centers for Disease Control and Prevention employees, but provided few details."

"About 2,400 CDC employees lost their jobs in a wave of cuts across federal health agencies in early April, according to a tally at the time."

Upcoming Webinars:

Responding to Measles Outbreaks in Priority Populations

Associate of Immunization Managers

Tuesday, June 17, 2:00-3:00pm EST

Based on feedback from Part I, this AIM webinar will focus on strategies and engagement with Somali, Russian, and Ukrainian communities. Speakers will share examples and lessons learned from their experience addressing vaccine hesitancy in close- knit communities. This webinar will include 40 minutes of speaker presentations followed by a Q&A.

Upcoming Webinars:

Correlation and Causation: Understanding and Debunking Claims Linking Vaccines and Autism

Associate of Immunization Managers

Tuesday, June 24, 2:00-3:00pm EST

Join AIM Chief Medical Officer Michelle Fiscus, MD, FAAP, for an overview of autism spectrum disorder and how the vaccine-autism claim emerged, gained traction, and why it remains persistent. Dr. Fiscus will summarize key studies that have debunked the claim and share practical communication tools that immunization programs and health care providers can use to engage families and communities in informed conversations about vaccines.

COVID-19

Current Epidemic Growth Status for States

CDC

Key Points

• "As of June 9, 2025, we estimate that COVID-19 infections are growing or likely growing in 1 state, declining or likely declining in 19 states, and not changing in 23 states."
• New Jersey: Probability the COVID-19 epidemic trend is growing: 12.60% (likely declining). % of ED visits (COVID-19): 0.36% (very low)
• Nationwide: Probability the COVID-19 epidemic trend is growing: 23.08% (likely declining). % of ED visits (COVID-19): 0.34% (very low)

Follow Us On Bluesky

NJIN is now on Bluesky. Our goal is to continue to expand our digital presence in pursuit of our organization's mission to spread the word about vaccine safety and benefits to all individuals through timely, age-appropriate immunization against vaccine-preventable diseases.

Additional Reads

Click on the headlines below for more articles and resources.

1. Premature Infant Infected with Measles Dies in Canada AAP Pediatrics
2. 2 Kentucky Infants Die of Pertussis As Cases Rise AAP Pediatrics
3. Measles Cases and Outbreaks CDC

NJIN Meetings Schedule

June 25, 2025 (Wed)

NJIN Education and Events Committee

1:00pm - 2:00pm

July 10, 2025 (Thu)

NJIN Steering Committee

9:00am - 10:00am

July 16, 2025 (Wed)

NJIN General Membership

12:00pm - 1:30pm

Click to Add to Calendar

We Want to Hear From You!

The NJIN team encourages input from our readers. Any suggestions on topics, resources, or other ideas that you'd like to see included going forward are welcome!

Please share your feedback with us at NJIN@njaap.org.